Apr

Volunteer Ambassadors help visitors find their way before they ever set foot in a museum

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery

As the Cherry Blossom Festival gets underway, the Office of Visitor Services is excited to launch the second season of its own “blossoming” Smithsonian Ambassadors Volunteer Program. Making their debut in spring 2023, these pioneering volunteers leave the confines of a host museum and offer their expertise to visitors across the Smithsonian’s side of the National Mall from spring through late fall.

The volunteers who completed the inaugural season late last year are mostly former Castle ambassadors and docents. Tom Murphy realized that the program would allow him to continue interacting with visitors after the closure of the Castle last January to “share all that I have learned about the Smithsonian’s history and guide visitors to Smithsonian exhibits and collections based on their interests.”

This isn’t the first Smithsonian volunteer program that includes “ambassador” in its title. To this day, you can find volunteer ambassadors inside museums around the SI. OVS itself had volunteer ambassadors at the Castle for several years prior to its closure last January. Ambassadors meet the public in and around their host museum, answering visitor questions, and help them plan their visits.

Volunteer in red vest talks to group of women while pointing to Smithsonian Castle

A volunteer Smithsonian Ambassador engages with visitors on the National Mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle. (Photo courtesy OVS)

Of course, greeting visitors on the Mall is a bit different than meeting them inside a museum. Joyce Vervin, a long-time desk volunteer at the Castle found her role a bit reversed; “at the Castle (desk) the visitors asked me for information and (as an) ambassador I (am) the one asking…if they had any questions.” Steven Dobbs had a similar experience. “I have found that the outdoor role requires more proactive engagement with visitors.” OVS always thinks about how to reach our visitors at every stage of their journey. Joyce and Steven are among our ambassadors who have learned how to make those unexpected connections.

While the scenery is different, most of the questions Smithsonian ambassadors hear are ones that all public facing volunteers and staff receive: Where is the closest bathroom or restaurant? Do you have to pay? Where is Julia’s kitchen? Other questions volunteer Sue Stern fielded last year came about because interactions happen on the Mall: How many museums are on the National Mall? How do I get a bike or scooter? Who owns the National Mall?

Ask an ambassador about his or her favorite encounter and you are sure to hear some great stories. Laura Shafer’s favorite epitomizes the experience we want visitors to have. “A father and son (both adults), who I spoke with for about 20 minutes, were very interested in history and were most appreciative to learn about where they could go to see the things that most interested them. I know I helped them navigate their time at SI and helped make their experience meaningful.”

Now that the ambassadors have a year of experience with the program, many have great advice to offer those who join in the future. Rebecca Leng recommends that when you are out greeting visitors:

Observe them, so you can read which ones may most need your assistance
Approach them with a smiling face (it doesn’t hurt to also be wearing your ambassador tee-shirt or vest), and
Focus on their interests first.

In February, OVS program staff met with many of the ambassadors who are returning this year. Staff and volunteers discussed what went well last year and where they can work together to improve the program for both the volunteers and the public they serve. Cindy Mache wants to “see the program grow even if there is (someday) an interior visitor center. It has the potential to encourage people to check out museums and events that might never have occurred to (them).”

OVS is very proud of our ambassadors and all they accomplished in the pilot season. They engaged nearly 9,000 visitors during 385 hours of service. Congratulations to our ambassadors!

If you would like to learn more about the Smithsonian Ambassador Program, contact program coordinators Michelle Gelhausen and Michael Rubin at OVSVolunteers@si.edu.